What is 3/5 - 4/8?

Here's how to subtract 4/8 from 3/5:

3

5

−

4

8

Step 1

We can't subtract two fractions with different denominators. So you need to get a common denominator. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 3 by 8, and get 24.

Then we multiply 4 by 5, and get 20.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 5 × 8 = 40.

So now our fractions look like this:

24

40

−

20

40

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

24 − 20 = 4

So the answer is:

4

40

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it:

4

40

÷ 2 =

2

20

Let's try dividing by 2 again...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 2? Yes! So we reduce it: